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Hate to say it, but I can understand why WayForward couldn’t find a publisher back in 2002. Shantae Advance is one of the weakest entries in the series. Irritating boss battles, lack of maps, boring levels and the “where the fuck do I go” kind of approach sucks the fun out of it. However, it’s great that WayForward and LRG were able to finish this project for long time fans of the Shantae series, but if you’re looking to dive into the purple hair protagonist’s adventure, try Shantae and the Seven Sirens instead.
Dying Light: The Beast gets Techland back to their best. I’m a huge fan of the franchise, and I expected big things from this game. Luckily, Dying Light: The Beast didn’t disappoint. The gameplay is hardcore, gruesome, and gory. Moreover, the bosses are fantastic, and there is always a sense of death and despair as you undertake every journey. As such, though it is familiar, I loved it and recommend grabbing a copy from the Xbox store.
Sonic Racing Crossworlds is an impressive return from SEGA and Sonic Team. This outing easily stands with its arm around Mario Kart World on the same pedestal. With its depth, numerous tracks, and customisation options, alongside competitive online racing, there is plenty of replayability and longevity here. Having the crossworlds mechanics makes for spontaneous races that can turn on their head in a split second. It’s a seamless experience on Xbox Series X, running at a solid 60 frames per second, even during maximum screen intensity. It may have taken some time, but this Sonic kart-racing formula is perfection after several instalments and experimentation. There is an excellent fusion of brand-new mechanics and true nostalgia alongside its roster of well-loved characters and excellent soundtrack. For fans of Sonic and the karting genre, this game is a triumph that is well worth buying.
Though the game design is basic, Extremely Powerful Capybaras looks great. The animation is smooth and there are no bugs or frame rate issues. The world can be filled with enemies, but the game never stutters. Additionally, there are some nice minor tweaks to each stage to keep things interesting. The audio is loud, but it lacks originality. The soundtrack is good, and the sound effects are enjoyable. Yet, they are familiar and rarely stand out from the crowd. Playing this was a breeze. Dashing and automated combat ensure it is easy to handle. Moreover, a handy P1, P2, P3, and P4 helps to prevent confusion. I tackled every level and enjoyed unlocking the additional classes. However, I fear that others could find it repetitive and tiresome despite the inclusion of Frenzy difficulty settings. Extremely Powerful Capybaras is a great addition to the genre. The developer has added some nice lighthearted elements to an otherwise familiar genre. I loved the fun twist of capybaras instead of hulking warriors. Additionally, the ability to play with friends locally and online was great. Unfortunately, the unlockable skills and synergies were a little limited, and this holds it back. Accordingly, despite the shortcomings, I think it is great and I recommend buying it from the Xbox store.
EA Sports FC 26 feels like it has made some exceptional strides forward this year. Having played for approximately 25-30 hours since Early Access was released and having invested a similar amount of time in the Closed Beta build, I can confidently say it’s the best version of the game we have had in several years. The key feature is the introduction of two gameplay modes: Authentic and Competitive. It’s nice to see that a lot more attention has gone into Career Mode as well as Ultimate Team. EA have for sure put the work in this time around to try and please every player type that dives into the yearly release. The game is almost polished to perfection this time around, and whilst I have struggled finding my feet in Ultimate Team so far, I am having a bloody great time. If you haven’t dipped into the series for some time, then this year is an ideal opportunity to return. If you’re a regular, then you’ll be right at home with a sprinkle of exciting new features.
Bad Cheese is a truly unique experience that has a fantastic art style that is clearly inspired by the early days of cartoons. I’d liken it to a mash-up between Steamboat Willie and Cuphead. The storyline is what kept me playing through this, with some emotionally heavy narrative and unsettling gameplay that has you on edge. Whilst the game is super short at around 4-5 hours to finish, it is quality rather than quantity. Whilst I was left wanting more, I felt satisfied with its runtime, but the replay value is limited since there aren’t any alternative paths or endings that I am aware of. For the reasonable price of £10.74, it’s worth buying.
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is a standout experience in the bullet-hell auto-shooter roguelite genre. It stands toe-to-toe with some of the best experiences out there, such as Vampire Survivors, Brotato, Army of Ruin, and more. Since the game landed on Xbox Game Pass, I have poured close to 30 hours in so far, and I can still see so much replayability and longevity here. The fact that I’ve wanted to install the game on all of my devices to get my fix just speaks to me about how much of a great game this is. If you’re on a budget and want a game that will give you potentially hundreds of hours of gameplay, then for the price of £19.99, it is so worth it. Alternatively, if you have an Xbox Game Pass subscription, get it downloaded immediately; it’s an addictive masterpiece.
I was looking forward to giving Baki Hanma: Blood Arena a whirl; I loved Punch-Out!! back in the day, so I was happy to try this. And as much as I wanted to like it, it feels incredibly unforgiving with little to no margin for error. A single mistake can cost you the fight having you to restart over and over again. If you’re a gaming masochist looking for your next punishment, then Baki Hanma: Blood Arena is ripe for you. However, if you’re looking for an enjoyable gaming experience, this is an easy pass.
I’ve spent around 55 hours ploughing through the main story. I have barely touched the side quests, and there are some areas untouched. This leads me to believe that I have hours of action left to explore. The plot is so good that I’d happily enjoy it repeatedly with each Vault Hunter build. Consequently, this should have hundreds of hours of gameplay if you so wish. Borderlands 4 is GOTY material. Juggling this and Dying Light has not been easy. Both crave attention, and I don’t have enough hours in my life. However, it has been a pleasant change of pace and a challenge I would accept again. Borderlands 4 is packed full of energy, madness, and weapons. The open world is great, and the plot is zany, ridiculous, and worth every second. Accordingly, this is GOTY material, and you should pick up a copy from the Xbox store.
Ruffy and the Riverside is an enjoyable experience and clearly draws inspiration from platformers from the early ’90s and beyond. With its unique SWAP mechanics and neat presentation, featuring hand-drawn visuals, this platformer caters to gamers of all ages and skill levels. The game is surprisingly deep with a lot of NPCs to engage with, plenty to collect and lots of puzzles that’ll see you clocking around 10 hours of gameplay. For the reasonable price of £16.99, it’s well worth the cost for the amount you’re getting in return.
Gradius Origins is a great collection of classics that gives a look back in the past. Fans of challenging games or shumps will absolutely find something to chew on with this bundle. While it does feel lacking in terms of variety given the game’s storied history, the different versions give players a reason to try differente ones. Gradius Origins is also a great entry point for those looking to dip their toes in the genre.
NHL 26 is another enjoyable entry to the long lineage of EA’s flagship hockey franchise. There’s enough content to keep hardcore players hoooked and more game modes that you can shake a stick at. Whereas the game’s accessibility features can tailor the experience to welcome in newcomers with open arms. Long time fans of the series are sure to be quite happy with this latest entry. But Be a Pro mode aside and the addictive Ones Now, there’s isn’t much that justifies buying it if you already have NHL 25 and/or NHL 24; unless you’re OCD and need to complete your collection.
Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is a great addition to the series. If you are looking for a badass and hellishly big game to keep you busy, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion should tick those boxes. Moreover, if you love sci-fi, exploration, customisation, massive battles, and an impressive story, this will be right up your street. Though it put me out of my comfort zone, I didn’t regret a thing, and I recommend taking a look at it in the Xbox store!
Deadzone: Rogue is an incredibly moreish rougelite shooter that I can’t get enough of. So much so that I’ve played it for a week straight at every opportunity I could get, and I still want to keep playing. The game features exceptional gunplay and cross-play co-op, allowing players to drop in and out with randoms. For the reasonable price of £19.99, it is well worth it
Cronus: The New Dawn is a challenging slog of a game, but if you’re determined to get through the tough times within the game, it is fantastic. If you’re into your survival horror titles, then you won’t be disappointed with how this game plays. They have nailed the atmosphere, audio and strategic combat throughout. As someone who isn’t too fond of challenging experiences, this was just on the edge for me. Bloober Team have certainly delivered with a beautifully polished and presented adventure that easily nestles amongst the best titles in the genre.
Though Herdling won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, I love the plot, the atmosphere, and the straightforward ideas. Moreover, the game forces you to care for your herd of Calicorns. Accordingly, losing one beast is surprisingly upsetting, and you’ll take it personally if anything happens. Though this takes no time to complete, it is an excellent indie game. Therefore, I suggest you play it on Game Pass or pick up a copy from the Xbox Store.
Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights is a decent competitive racer that isn’t going to break the bank. During the early hours of the night, I had difficulty finding races with human opponents, so I do have some concerns about its longevity. Overall, though, for its price point and the fact that it features crossplay functionality, it can be an absolute blast, and I had a great time with it. If you’re into racers that are quick, short and snappy with a quick adrenaline rush, then I do recommend you check this one out. Especially if you’re into some of the older arena racers such as Blur, Wipeout or even Mario Kart.
NBA 2K26 is a triumph. It’s not perfect—VC and monetisation still hover in the background, and long-time players may notice some familiar animations. But the strides made in realism, accessibility, and variety are undeniable. From the breathtaking accuracy of the ProPLAY Motion Engine to the refined structure of The City and the expanded depth of MyNBA Eras, this is a game that celebrates basketball in all its forms. For casual fans, it’s the most approachable entry in years. For hardcore players, it offers depth that could easily consume hundreds of hours. For anyone who simply loves the sport, NBA 2K26 is as close as you can get to stepping onto an NBA court without lacing up a pair of sneakers. This isn’t just another yearly update—it’s a genuine evolution of the series. The question isn’t whether you should play it. The question is how many hours you’re ready to lose once you start.
Though Firefighting Simulator Ignite could have been better polished, I like the core ideas and the varied missions. Moreover, there is some progression as you unlock new vehicles with slightly different tools. This adds depth and will keep people coming back for more. Undoubtedly, it is better with friends, but lone wolves can enjoy it regardless. Accordingly, I recommend taking a look at the Xbox Store.
Luto is a tense, cryptic walking sim that’ll challenge players’ puzzling skills and patience as it moves relatively slow. The house is well designed and the game offers unique mechanics that will mess with players. Although given its sluggishness and puzzle based gameplay, this might turn off some gamers looking for some good scares and actions. If you’re a die-hard fan of the horror genre, you’ll absolutely want to play Luto. For those looking for something a bit faster and terrifying might want to look elsewhere.